Rising interest rates and the pressures of inflation made 2023 a challenging year for many of us. OnPoint is proud to be part of a strong community that’s committed to giving back, especially when many people face additional financial obstacles. Again and again, we’ve seen local individuals and organizations step up to help those in need despite facing obstacles of their own, including non-profits.

That’s why we’re excited to announce the results of OnPoint’s sixth annual social giving campaign. This year, we again relied on the people in our community to guide our end-of-year giving. From November 29 to December 8, we invited community members to use our social media channels to nominate and vote for local non-profits that make a meaningful impact.

With nearly 4,100 votes cast during the campaign, we’re proud to announce that our community chose Waggin’Tails Search And Rescue as this year’s recipient of a $5,000 grant.

This Portland-based non-profit formed in 2009 as a pet care service, but soon realized there was a need for search and rescue of lost dogs. Finding that there was a lack of information and resources available for families of these lost dogs, Waggin’Tails Search And Rescue incorporated in 2019 to provide those families with 24/7 advice and guidance, as well as encouragement and emotional support. They also actively participate in the process of searching for and locating lost dogs. We look forward to seeing Waggin’Tails continue their heartwarming work of reuniting families with their lost companions.

In addition to Waggin’Tails, OnPoint will also donate $2,500 each to five non-profits that were runners-up in this year’s campaign:

• Agape Village. Portland’s Agape Village was founded on a deep desire to love their neighbors. They are committed to ending the cycle of poverty ended and helping every person live a healthy and stable life, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, national origin, geographic background, immigration status, ability and disability, physical characteristics, veteran status, political ideology, religious belief and age. They provide urgent and temporary provisions including emergency/winter shelter, food and water, cold weather supplies, weekly showers, and other life necessities to reduce suffering, save lives, and begin building relationships.
• Agave Dogs Rescue. Founded in 2017, Beavercreek-based Agave Dogs rescues adoptable, homeless dogs from areas overwhelmed with pet overpopulation and finds them loving, permanent homes in Oregon and Washington. They also assist dogs at risk for euthanasia in high kill shelters and strays found on the street by out of state rescuers.
• Many Miles 2 Home Rescue. This Veneta-based organization saves and rehomes dogs who are close to losing their lives in a shelter or who face abandonment by an owner, with a focus on pregnant dogs and breeds considered most at risk. Many Miles 2 Home houses anywhere from 20-55 dogs/puppies at a time while searching for adoptive homes, and a community of supporters works together to rehome dogs who can’t be taken in directly. They strongly advocate for and facilitate spaying/neutering, rehabilitation, training to help ease the transition into a new home, and vaccinations. They also donate dog food to help homeless people feed their dogs.
• NW Blind Athletes. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Vancouver, WA, Northwest Association for Blind Athletes is a national leader dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, youth, and adults through participation in sports and physical activity in communities across Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. NWABA’s programs and services are available to individuals of all ages and abilities who are blind and visually impaired. Programs offer opportunities in more than 15 sports, from teaching children to swim for the first time to providing week-long residential camp experiences.
• WildlyKind: WildlyKind was founded in Portland during the COVID-19 pandemic—a time when many people were struggling with mental health. With the urge to bring more kindness to the world, the founder became involved in her community by making weekly care packages for the houseless community, buying groceries for people at her local market, and leaving positive affirmation notes around her community. The reactions to these random acts of kindness made it clear that there is a desperate need for more kindness in our community, leading to the birth of WildlyKind. Each week, WildlyKind volunteers spread kindness throughout the community by hitting the streets to pay it forward. They’re making a big impact through small actions.

Over the past three years, the value of community and people coming together has never been clearer. At OnPoint, we’re proud to work with our community partners and cast a spotlight on their impact. We’re committed to supporting these amazing non-profits through charitable giving and volunteerism.

It’s organizations like these that drive initiatives like our social giving campaign and our seventh annual employee giving campaign. In 2023, OnPoint employees directed $105,603 between Latino Network, FACT Oregon and Rebuilding Together Portland. Over the last seven years, OnPoint employees have directed more than $600,000 in donations to local non-profits around Oregon and SW Washington as a part of our employee giving campaign. Additionally, on Giving Tuesday, OnPoint donated a total of $100,000, divided among eight non-profits that provide food and shelter relief to Oregonians and Southwest Washingtonians. Meals on Wheels People, Rose Haven and Portland Housing Center will each receive a $25,000 gift from OnPoint to advance their missions of providing food security, day shelter and valuable resources to underserved communities in the Portland metro area. OnPoint also donated $5,000 to each of the following regional non-profits: Family Kitchen in Central Oregon, Eugene Mission, Marion Polk Food Share in Salem, Council for the Homeless in Southwest Washington and McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity.

We’re incredibly grateful to our members, employees, and our community. Our members’ ongoing support allows us to give back and we look forward to continuing to help our community in the year to come. Visit www.onpointcu.com/community-giving to learn more about OnPoint’s commitment to the community.